NEW ORLEANS -- An election season lawsuit challenging the residency of Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal Court Arthur Morrell was withdrawn, following testimony in court from Morrell himself on Tuesday.
An attorney for plaintiff Stephen Gordon withdrew the suit on Tuesday as it was being heard in Judge Michael Bagneris' courtroom.
The suit alleged that Morrell lives in Prairieville and not Gentilly and should not be allowed to run for re-election in February. Morrell responded to the allegation on the stand, echoing his earlier statement which called the suit false and without substance.
A separate lawsuit filed Monday by New Orleanian Eric Gallatin challenges the residency of Morrell's wife, city council member Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, who is seeking re-election to the District D council seat. A hearing date has not yet been set in that case but the suit has been assigned to Judge Ethel Simms Julien.
The suit withdrawn Tuesday alleged that the Morrells reside at a home in Prairieville, and not at their Moore Drive home in Gentilly. The Morrells do own property in Prairieville and have said that they lived there after Hurricane Katrina while repairing damage to their Moore Drive home.
“It is a misguided effort to distract the voters from the real issues of rebuilding our criminal justice system and moving New Orleans forward,” said Morrell's statement released Friday.
“Arthur Morrell has lived at 4925 Moore Drive in Gentilly with his wife Cynthia Hedge-Morrell for more than 30 years…. Like many New Orleanians, Arthur had to completely renovate his flooded home. He fought contractors and insurance companies after Katrina - a long and painful process - but is very happy to be back home," according to the statement.
In April, Eyewitness News reported that the Morrells had been delinquent on paying property taxes on the Moore Drive home for several years. Soon after being contacted by WWL for the story, the Morrells paid the tax bills. The Morrells said they had been delayed by Hurricane Katrina.
